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ON THE COVER: Coccidioidomycosis. Light micrograph of a section through tissue in the human lung infected with endospores of the soil fungus Coccidioides immitis. This disease is known as coccidioidomyocosis or "Valley Fever". The spherule wall (pink, at left) of the fungus contains rounded endospores (at center). This fungus occurs in desert and semi-arid regions. The route of infection is almost always pulmonary, due to inhalation of the spores. Agricultural workers are particularly at risk from this infection. Symptoms include a cough, chest pain, fever and erythema. Treatment includes amphotericin B anti-fungal drug. A vaccine has been developed. Magnification: unknown. Image by Michael Abbey/Photo Researchers, Inc. Image and text copyright 2011 Photo Researchers, Inc. All Rights Reserved. See related article:

“The Utility of Fine Needle Aspiration for Diagnosis of Extrapulmonary Coccidioidomycosis: A Case Report and Discussion” pp.130–133.